Packaging and merchandising device



Iv Il* INVENTOR.

l@ wm rfa/eA/ef/S MalCh 7, 1967 N M BRECHER PACKAGING AND MERCHANDISING DEVICE Filed March 16. 1966 United States Patent 3,307,686 PACKAGlNG AND MERCHANDISING DEVICE Nicholas M. Brecher, 2 Manor Lane, Lawrence, N.Y. 11559 Filed Mar. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 534,794 Claims. (Cl. 206-47) The present invention relates to a packaging and merchandising device for displaying and offering f-or sale articles of merchandise in a manner intended to more easily attract the potential purchasers attention and to more easily persuade such potential purchaser to purchase the article. More particularly, the present invention relates to packages of the type which clearly display the article contained therein while at the same time protecting such article from damage caused by excessive handling and manipulation.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a package which contains a readily visible article of merchandise and which also contains, as a conspicuous background for the article, a continuous sheet having distinctive and eye-catching characteristics. This sheet is easily dividable into a multitude of' sub-divisions by means of perforations in order to define a plurality of separable units, each of which is intended to be redeemable by the purchaser for a predetermined value. The perforated sheet, in accordance with the invention, is arranged within the package so that it will draw the potential purchasers attention thereto, this being accomplished by having such perforated sheet cover a major portion of the side of the package which is exposed to the passer-by. Further, the article offered for' sale is in overlving relation with respect to the perforated sheet so that the potential purchaser which is attracted by the distinctive perforated sheet will have his attention drawn to the article offered for sale, and conversely, any potential purchaser attracted by the article offered for sale will clearly have his attention directed to the perforated sheet underlying the article which sheet is dividable into said plurality of units redeemable for predetermined value.

The package in accordance with the invention comprises a backing member which defines the support for the package, the aforementioned perforated sheet which extends from one end edge-of the backing member and terminates short of the opposite end edge thereof, and the article of merchandise which is disposed in overlying relation with respect to the perforated sheet. The aforementioned three elements constituting the package, namely, the backing member, the perforated sheet, and the article of merchandise are held together in substantially fixed relation by a tight covering made of a transparent sheet of material completely wrapped around the combination.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the backing member and the perforated sheet are wrapped together in a first tight covering made of transparent sheet material, and thereafter, the article and the first tight covering are wrapped together in a second tight covering similarly made of transparent sheet material. The additional advantage offered by the preferred embodiment is to discourage, if not entirely prevent, the pilfering of the perforated sheet of material consisting of the redeemable units.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a packaging and merchandising device for displaying and offering for sale articles of merchandise in a manner inten-ded to more easily attract the potential purchasers attention and to more easily persuade such potential purchaser to purchase the same.

It is another object of the invention to provide a package of improved construction which comprises a backing member, a sheet provided with perforations so that it is 3,307,686 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 lCC divisible into a plurality of units, and an article of merchandise all wrapped together in a unitary and relatively fixed disposition, said perforated sheet being dividable into a plurality of sub-divisions each of which is redeemable for a predetermined value.

It is another object to provide a package having a backing member and a perforated sheet wrapped together into a unitary element and having such unitary element thereafter wrapped together with the article of merchandise to form the completed package.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the package in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG- 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a modified embodiment in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 identifies the package in accordance with the invention. Package 1t! comprises a backing member 12 shown here as being rectangular in shape, such backing member being made of a generally stiff or rigid material, such as cardboard, so that it can define the main support for the package. Overlying backing member 12 is a sheet 14 which, as best shown in FlG. 1, extends from bottom edge 16 of backing member 12 upwardly and terminates at a short distance from upper edge 18 of said backing member. Said sheet 14 is substantially co-extensive widthwise with backing member 12 for the entire length thereof defined between its opposite end edges 20 and 22, respectively. Accordingly, sheet 14 covers the major portion of backing member 12, leaving only portion 24 there-of exposed and unconcealed from view. Sheet 14 is provided with numerous lines of perforation 26 which divide said sheet into a plurality of easily separable sub-divisions 28. These sub-divisions 28 define units which are redeemable for a predetermined value and could consist of what I is generally known as trading stamps. Each of said subdivisions being identical in size, shape, and appearance to each of the others, it becomes a simple matter for the passer-by to be apprised, at a glance, with the number of such units or trading stamps offered with the package, such being in direct relation to the overall size of the perforated sheet.

Portion 24 which remains unconcealed from view, is particularly well adapted for having inscribed or printed thereon copy which is descriptive or explanatory of the article being purchased and the price therefor.

Overlying perforated sheet 14 is the article of merchandise being offered for sale in the package, said article, in the illustration shown in the figures, comprising a pair of scissors 30. The backing member 12, the perforated sheet overlying said backing member 14, and the article of merchandise 30 overlying said perforated sheet, are all wrapped together and enveloped by a transparent wrapper 32. Wrapper 32 can be made of cellophane and the wrapping process may be accomplished in any conventional manner such as by use of apparatus wherein a heat sealing operation provides the sealing for the cellophane wrapper.

The resulting package is one which, having a transparent wrap, permits the unconcealed display of the article of merchandise. The provision of the perforated sheet which constitutes the background for the article of merchandise defines a unique means of directing the potential purchasers attention to the package and -at the same time advising such potential purchaser, purely through visual means, of the number of redeemable stamps or units provided in the package itself upon purchase thereof. Thus, the package is so constructed as to invite the attention of the purchaser of the merchandise being offered, and at the same time advise such purchaser of the additional redeemable units provided with the package. The net result is a marketing and display device which increases substantially the saleability of the displayed articles.

FIG. 4 represents a modication of the subject package. In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, backing member 12 and perforated sheet 14' are provided with a cellophane wrapping 32. Thereafter, a second cellophane wrapping 34 is provided to hold article 30 together with the underlying backing member and perforated sheet. The package of FIG. 4 will prevent or at least greatly discourage the efforts to unlawfully appropriate the perforated sheet 14 from the package. More specifically, whereas in the package as shown in FIG. 2, it would not be too difficult a task to puncture the cellophane wrapper as at A and remove the sheet of stamps, such task would be almost impossible in connection with the package as shown in FiG. 4. If said package were perforated as at A', the potential thief upon reaching for the perforated sheet 14' would find himself confronted with cellophane wrapper 32 which would be far more diiiicult to puncture. Accordingly, it will be seen that the embodiment of FIG. 4 offers all of the marketing and display advantages of the package of FIG. 2 and in addition provides an anti-pilfering feature to prevent or render more difficult the unauthorized appropriation of the perforated sheet.

Thus, it is seen that the package in accordance with the present invention fully accomplishes the objectives set forth above, namely, to provide a packaging and merchandising device which will more easily attract a potential purchasers attention and which will more easily persuade such potential purchaser to purchase the article.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that in the illustrated embodiments certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts 'may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire Ito secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A packaging and merchandising device for displaying and offering for sale merchandise comprising: v

a backing member made of rigid material and defining the support for said device;

a sheet of thin and iiexible material in overlying relation with and covering a substantial portion of onel surface of said backing member; n

said sheet having a plurality of lines of perforations whereby said sheet is easily divided into a plurality of subdivisions each defining a trading stamp which 60 is redeemable for a predetermined value;

an item of merchandise in overlying relation with said sheet;

and a tight envelope made of transparent wrapping material and enveloping said backing member, sheet, and item of merchandise in substantially xed relative position within said device.

2. A device in accordance with claim i, wherein said backing member has a four edged periphery and said sheet extends from one edge of said backing member toward the edge opposite said one edge and terminates at a short distance from said opposite edge.

3. A device in accordance With claim 1, wherein said item of `merchandise is confined within the periphery of said sheet and does not project beyond the boundaries thereof.

4. A device in accordance with claim l, wherein said backing member and sheet are wrapped together in a tight transparent covering which is thereafter held in fixed relative position with said item of merchandise by means of said tight envelope.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said backing member has a four edged periphery and said sheet extends from one edge of said backing member toward the edge opposite said one edge and terminates at a short distance from said opposite edge.

6. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said item of merchandise is confined within the periphery of said sheet and does not project beyond the boundaries thereof.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said backing member is rectangularly shaped and is provided with a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposite side edges, said sheet extending from said bottom edge lco-extensively with said opposite side edges and terminating a short distance from said top edge whereby a substantial portion of one surface of said backing member is concealed from view.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said backing member and sheet are wrapped together in a tight transparent covering which is thereafter held in fixed relative position with said item of merchandise by means of said tight envelope.

9. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said item of merchandise is confined within the periphery of said sheet and does not project beyond the boundaries thereof.

10. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said item of merchandise is confined within the periphery of said sheet and does not project beyond the boundaries thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,942,673 1/1934 Weiner 206--47 2,807,362 9/1957 Haddad 206-78 3,016,135 1/1962 Green 206-52 3,136,412 6/1964 Karosen 206-47 X FOREIGN PATENTS 622,966 5/ 1949 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PACKAGING AND MERCHANDISING DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING AND OFFERING FOR SALE MERCHANDISE COMPRISING: A BACKING MEMBER MADE OF RIGID MATERIAL AND DEFINING THE SUPPORT FOR SAID DEVICE; A SHEET OF THIN AND FLEXIBLE MATERIAL IN OVERYLING RELATION WITH AND COVERING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ONE SURFACE OF SAID BACKING MEMBER; SAID SHEET HAVING A PLURALITY OF LINES OF PERFORATIONS WHEREBY SAID SHEET IS EASILY DIVIDED INTO A PLURALITY OF SUBDIVISIONS EACH DEFINING A TRADING STAMP WHICH IS REDEEMABLE FOR A PREDETERMINED VALUE; AN ITEM OF MERCHANDISE IN OVERLYING RELATION WITH SAID SHEET; AND A TIGHT ENVELOPE MADE OF TRANSPARENT WRAPPING MATERIAL AND ENVELOPING SAID BACKING MEMBER, SHEET, AND ITEM OF MERCHANDISE IN SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED RELATIVE POSITION WITHIN SAID DEVICE. 